Funerals

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:18

MOTBC Funeral Information Fact Sheet

The Mount Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church (MOTBC) family wishes to extend our deepest sympathies in light of your loss. We mourn with you in this season. Therefore, we need to be informed immediately when these experiences occur in your family. Please contact the church at (215)386-5638 Wednesday- Saturday between 9:30am and 3:30pm. If it is after hours (or on a Monday or Tuesday) please contact your deacon/trustee so that we may serve you and your family appropriately and swiftly. Your contact person for making funeral arrangements with the church is our church clerk Sis. Jeannie Montague. By calling the church clerk before you make plans with your funeral director, you will find that pastoral support and guidance will save you errors and judgement which can occur in times of crisis. We will assist in any planning and programming of the service that is necessary.

As you gather your family together to make funeral arrangements, please take notes of the following benefits given to you as a MOTBC member:

• MOTBC will provide a eulogist and officiant free of charge to the family. If the family wants a eulogist from an outside church or organization, they must have prior consent from the Senior Pastor and/or Preacher in Residence (The family will have to work out remuneration with the guest eulogist).

• MOTBC will pay for the 1st 25 meals (or $200) for the family for the repast. Anything over 25 meals will be the responsibility of the family.

• MOTBC will provideall tables, chairs, table covers, cups, napkins, forks, knives, and table centerpieces.MOTBC Culinary Ministry will be responsible for receiving all food and drink items as well as warm-up items when necessary. All meals will be plated from the kitchen. Tables will be served by the MOTBC Culinary staff.

MOTBC is a Christian Church. As such, funerals held in the MOTBC sanctuary will be conducted according to historic Christian faith and polity. The church prohibits “special services” done by fraternities, sororities, Free Masons, or Eastern Stars in the sanctuary.

A church funeral is a service of Christian burial for those who have died in the Lord, and/or shared membership in the congregation. If the deceased was not a member of this church, it does not mean that his/her funeral cannot be held in the church. However, the family is asked to exercise wisdom in this regard. (i.e., If an individual has never regularly attended church or professed Christ, it might appear hypocritical and unfair to his/her memory to carry their remains into the church they cared nothing about.)

The funeral services at MOTBC are worship services aimed at lifting the bereaved and praising God for the life of the deceased. We do not aim to prolong your sorrow, nor capitalize thereon. Therefore, we recommend and enforce that all viewing (if any) occur prior to the funeral services. If you wish, the family may view upon entering the sanctuary via the procession. A closed casket entirely during the day of the service is easier on the family. A casket is never opened at the conclusion of the service at the church. There are no exceptions to the rule.

While there is no fee for MOTBC members, donations in loving memory of the deceased are accepted. All donations should be given to the Church Clerk.

Unfortunately at this time MOTBC is unable to conduct funerals in its sanctuary. Consequently, we are willing to work with the family to find an acceptable alternative in your time of grief. We have a working relationship with several churches in the area.